Depth measuring device



June 6,' 1933. J. s. FARRELL 1 1,913,023

DEPTH mmsqnme DEvlcE' 7 Filed Feb. '20 1930 2 Sheet-Sheet 1 June 6, 1933.

J. s, FARRELL DEPTH MEASURING DEVICE Filed. Feb. 20, .1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- ulflliililtlullrailol www Patented June 1 933 d I r I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN S. FARRELL, OF ST. LOU IS, MISsOURI DEPTH MEASURING DEVICE Application file'd February 20, 1930. Serial 1T0. 429,913.

This invention relates to depth measuring Fig. 7 is a cross section taken substantial-- devices, and with regard. to certain more ly along lines 7-7 of Figs. 4 and specific features, to depth measuring devices Fig. 8 is a vertical section similar to Fig. particularly adapted for use in connection 5 but showing the clutching means in en with inaccessible liquid tanks and the like. gaged position; and,

Among the several objects of the i-nven- Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing an tion may be noted the provision of a depth application of the depth measuring device of measuring device of the flotation class which 1. 1 n is simple in construction and fool-proof in imilar reference characters indicate coroperation; a depth measuring device which responding parts throughout the several includes a calibrated reference tape or the Vi w f he raWing like and a float sliding thereon, said float Calibrated, Weighted tapes, rods and the having clutching means therein enabling it ik have n d h r t re f r m a rto be positively held to said tape or rod ing the depth of l1quids by lowering said when a liquid level i m a r d; a, d th tape or rod into the liquid and then reading measuring device of the class described the depth by m n 'of th W t mark 0n the which reads accurately to within a fraction ape 1' O hi m thodis subjeet to disof an inch the depth. of the liquid being advantages in cases where the liquid hap' measured; a depth measuring device of the P 9 1 0 be 1701811118, 'that it evaporates class described which is simple and which is q y and Tenders a r te reading difiiadapted for use with tanks containing large Cult- The Q V Ilt n provides a numbers of coils or like interferring means; method of 118mg l r ed tapes, rods, and and a depth ea uring d i f the class the l1ke for measuring volatile liquid depths described which is simple and economical Wlthollt being dePehdent upon a wet markpart Obvious and in part pointed out her there is illustrated at numeral 1 a calibratinafter. ed tape, preferably madeof steel or the The invention accordingly comprises the Whlch is WQuhd h'a Peel 3 ih a reel elements and combinations of elements, feahqlder The reel Q 5 is Providedtures of construction, and arrangementof Wlth a a d 7 and a crank 9 for windihg parts which will be-exemplified in the strucand \mwmdlng the hP is 0 be undetture hereinafter described, and the scope off d that the 33111310111841 holder 5 i the application of which will be indicated in Illustrated herem y y of example e y th f ll i l i and may comprise other types of reel hold 35 In the accompanying drawings, in, which ers. It is like'wise to be understood that the is illustrated one. of various possible em- P 1 is fli y of calibrated m bodiments of the invention, w lw can sllbstittted y a rod '01?" Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the depth other ngld a whlch event no reel measuring device; or reel holder 1s required.

Fig 2 is a rear 61 evatiom- Bolted to the lower portion of the reel g 3 is a p P View; holder 5 by, means of a machme screw 11 p Fig. 4 is a vertical section of a float, taken is a. cover portion 13. The cover portion 13 Substantially along line of ig 1s preferably made from sheet metal such 45 Fig. 5 is a vertical "section of the float Ssshpet alz minlllm, and ]comprises a cylinq q r1ca or lonr 5 and race taken shbstahtlauy along hne of g- The axis of the cylindrical pg1 liih l5 i s 4, showing a c t ng means eas d preferably located directly beneath the reel pos1 t1on; 3 with the tape 1 wound thereon (see Fig. Fig. 6 1s a cross sectlon taken substantial- 3). The cover portion 13 is provided with 50 ly alonglmes-G-G of F1gs'.4.and 5; a lid 19, which is held to said cover porto manufacture. Other objects'will be in Referring more Particularly Fig; 75

I-thelengths of thehook 27 and the weight 29, so that, in operation, a direct readmg of depth is obtained.

The float 25 is illustrated more 1n detail in Figs. 4 to 8, where it will be seen that it comprises an upper portion 31 and a lower portion 33, through which portions 31 and 33 passes a central opening 35. A clutch 37 is mounted'in the central opening 35.

The up 'r portion 31 'is preferably provided wit an upper annular bead or extending is pre erably slightly tapere downwardly. The" lower ortion 33 is also preferably ta- 1 pered. Bot portions 31 and 33 preferably comprise cork orother like material-ada tfid float readily upon the surface of a The central opening 35 in the lower float 33 is lined wit a conical metal tube '41. The tube 41 is subs ntially circular 'at the bottom part of the float 33, and converges upwardly, and is ressed ht the to to a rectangular form see Figs. 6 and- 7 The clutching means 37, as illustrated in.

Figs. 4 to 8,*comprises a doubled-over piece of thin metal 45, with depending legs 47. The upper portion of the s ring metal 45 is arranged to flare outwar ly'as shown in Fig. 4, to engage the flange 39 of the upper float 31. The upper portion of said piece 45 40 is also provided with an opening or depression 49, the lower edge of whichis flat, and

which engages the tape 1 to establish a ref-' erence oint for making readings as described ereinafter. Other reference marks may be applied to the edges of the depression 49, for use as pointed out hereinafter.

The lower parts of the legs 47 are pro vided with circular openings 51 for the [accommodation of steel balls .or the,like 53. .The bottom extremities ofthe'legs47 are turned outwardly as at numerals 55.

Figs. 4-and 5 illustrate the floa 25 in I fnon-clutching-position in a body of h uid.

' dency to sink, on account of-the weight of,

The, upper float 31 'is buoyant enoug.e to support the clutching means 37, this ing done by means of shoulders.57.- The lower float 133, on the contrary, exhibits a slight ten- ,the tube 41. It is to be noted that-"the pres ence of the lower float 33 serves to reduce the tendency of the tube 41 to sink, but does not support it entirely. a of the sinking tenden'c the ower float 33 separates sli tly from, e upper floa't 31 and rests I tlyon the balls 53, and in'turn forces portion .39. Said upper portion 31- said balls to react slightly against the tape 1. This reaction is not -suflicient, however, to restrict the downward motion of said tape 1,as in unreeling. This position ,of'

the clutchin means is assumed automatically when tlie float 25'is in a body of liquid and the tape 1 is either stationary or movin downwardly unreeling).

t is desirable t at thelower edge ofthe notch 49, constitute a reference mark for the liquid most commonly measured, and that it be arranged tocorres 0nd to the -level to which the float 25 si in its Fig; 5 position, to insurev accuracy of readings. The other reference marks on the sides of notch 49 arev located at appropriate levels'for liquids f difl'ering specific gravity less frequentl measured. 1 I

When the motion of the tape 1 is changed to an upward or reeling motion, the balls 53, 1 being already lightly in contact with thetape 1, are rolled upwardly in the conical 'tube 41, and the convergence of said tube 41 at once forces said balls together to efl'ec't a positive gripping of the tape 1. Simultaneously, the frictional engagementbetween theupwardly moving tape 1 and the legs 47 carries said legs 47 and the balls 53 therewith, upw'ardlfy, thereby enhancing the clam ing action 0 said balls 53. This. position 0 the clutching means 37 is illustrated in Fig. 5.

"It will be noted that engagement and clamping is immediate upon upward movement of V the tape 1, and that downward pressure on the flqpt 25 serves only to increase the clamp,

e ect.

in I lhe operation of the depth measuring device is as follows:

The tape 1 is unreeled, through the cover pgrtio'n; 13, until the weight 29 reaches the ttom of the liquid being tested. At. this time, the float 25 moves freel on the. tape 1 and floatson the surface of t e liquid being measured. The larger proportions of the float 25 bein under the surface of the liquid,

surface ri "p es, waves and thelike are 'rela-.

tiqli ine ectual to affect the reading.

" en the weight 29 has reached the 0m of the liquid being measured, the tape is" rewound on the reel 3. With the first up-' ward movement of the tape 1, the clutch 37 grips said tape 1, and the float 25 is securely affixed to said tape. When the float '25'-'is drawn up nearly to the cover portion 13, the

depth of the liquid is read by means of the flatbottom of the notch 49 or other reference markinthe member 45. The float 25 is then drawn further into the cover portion 13. In order to' wind up the remainder of the tape 1,'the clutch37 is released by manually pressing upwardly the bottom ill float. 33, wherebysaid clutch '37 is returned a to its-Fig. 5 position, and the-remainder of the tapeil may bewound up for subsequent like which are apt to impede the progress of the descending weight 29 in the course of unwinding the tape 1. In this figure, a tube 59 with openings 61 therein is shown in posi "tion in a tank 63. The openings 61 permit liquid toreach the same level in the tube 59 as in the tank 63. The tape 1 with the float and weight 19 thereon, is then lowered into the tube 59 as described hereinbefore. The tube v59 is referably made of a predetermined. lengt and amarker 65 adjustably fixed on thetape 1 at the length of the tube 59. With ,this arrangement, no difficulty is experienced in determining when the weight 19 has reached the bottom of the liquid in the tank 63.

' After the bottom has P weight 19, the tape 1 is rewound as described hereinbefore, and a reading made by means of the position of the float 25. V

It is to be notedthat downward pressure on the .top of the float 31, such as is occasioned by said float rubbing against the in ward walls of the tube 59 in the course of withdrawal, merel serves to fix said float 31 more securely to t e tape 1, and will therefore not adversely aflect the accuracy of the reading attained.

In view of the above, it will be seen that i the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it

is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted 'as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim: 7

1. In combination, a "calibrated tape, a reel therefor, a reel support, a weight on the end of said ta e, and a float on said tape,

said float having clutching means therein adapted to grip said tape, at any point along its length upon retraction of said tape. 1

- 2. In combination, a calibrated tape, a reel at one end of said tape, means for supporting said reel, a weight at the other end of said tape, and a float on said tape, said float being adapted to move freelyon said tape throughout its length when said tape is being unwound from said reel but adapted to grip said tape at any oint thereon when said tape is being woun on said reel.

3. In combination, "a calibrated tape, means for winding up and unwinding said tape, a weight at one end of said tape, a

float on said tape movable over the entire length of said tape, and a clutching means been reached by the,

associated with said float adapted to secure said float to said-tape at any point thereon when said tape is being wound up and to release said float from said tape when said tape is being unwound.

"er portion of said opening and a clutching means extending into said opening, said clutching means comprising a pair of legs joined together at the top thereof, and balls supported within said legs, said balls being actuated to clutching position by reaction against said tube.

6. The depth measuring device comprising a substantially cylindrical float having a central opening therein, a clutch extending into said openingcom'prising a pair of legs', an d balls supported by said legs, said balls being adapted to be forced together by longitudinal movement of said clutch relative to said float.

7. The depth measuring device comprising a substantially cylindrical float having a central opening therein, a clutch extending into said opening comprising va pair of legs, balls supported by said legs and means for forcing said balls together upon longitudinal movement of said clutch relative to said 8. The depth measuring device comprising a substantially cylindrical float having a a central opening therein, a clutch in said opening comprising a'pair of legs, balls supported by said legs and means in said open- -ing .for forcing said balls together upon said lower float for forcing said balls to gether into clamping position upon longitudinal movement of said clutch in said floats.

10. The depth measuring device comprising-an upper and a lower substantially cylindrical float, each having central openings therein, a clutch in said openings comprising a pair of legs, balls supported by said legs and means in said opening in said lower float for forcing said balls together into clamping position upon separation of said upper and lower float, said means comprising a conical tube in said opening in said lower' float said tube having a circular cross section at 1ts lower end and a restricted rectangular' cross section at its upper end.

11. The depth measurin device compris- .ing a float, a clutch'in sai" float for accom- I modating a calibrated'member, said clutch having a reference point thereon for reading said member, said reference point beinglocated at substantially the level to which said float sinks in a'liquid, said clutch being adapted to grip said member upon upward movement of, said member'and to release said member upon downward movement of said member.

12. In combination,.a calibrated member and a float thereon, clutching'means in said float adapted automatically to grip said member upon upward movement of said member and to release said member upon downward -movement, ofsaid member, said clutchhaving means thereon for'establishing' relative positions of said float on said member.

13. In combination, a calibrated tape and ll a. air of floats thereon, clutchin means in said floats adapted automatical y to grip said tape upon upward movement of said tape and to release said tape upon downlo comprising :apair of legs,

86 adap ward movement of said ta said clutch ills supported in said leg apted to grip said tape and means associated with one of said floats forforcingsaid balls into gripping position on said .ttgge, said clutch having means thereon' to indicate various relative positionmgs of said float om said tape. v 14. A float for depth measuringvdevices comprising a body'having a relatively low specific gravity, and clutching means ass josociated with 'paid body, said clutching means comprising a'tube centrall mountedin said body, a pair-of balls within said tube, means for retaining said balls within Said tube and means on said tube for forcin said balls together upon relative longitudina February, E30,

l motion between said balls and said' tube inone direction.

o In testimony 'whereof I havesignedamy name to this specification this 17th day of a "JOHN s. ARRELL. l 

